U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is under increased scrutiny following recent detainee deaths, prompting calls for accountability from international human rights bodies and American lawmakers. The controversies intensified after the El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban migrant, as a homicide caused by asphyxiation. This ruling contradicts ICE’s initial statement that Campos died after staff observed him in distress. Witnesses alleged that guards choked Campos to death, further fueling concerns over ICE’s actions.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged the United States to align its immigration enforcement with international laws, highlighting issues such as arbitrary detentions and family separations. Türk emphasized that while states have the right to establish national migration policies, these must adhere to due process to ensure legality and legitimacy. These statements were made in light of a poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena University, revealing that a majority of Americans believe ICE tactics have overstepped appropriate boundaries.
Adding to the discourse, ICE’s reported number of custody deaths presents inconsistencies. Although 36 people have reportedly died in ICE detention since President Donald Trump’s second term began, ICE’s official figures for fiscal year 2025 reflect only 18 deaths, with no updates for fiscal year 2026. These discrepancies have raised additional concerns about the agency’s transparency.
Democratic lawmakers have stepped up pressure on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), sending a letter to Secretary Kristi Noem demanding a thorough investigation into the deaths. They cited 53 deaths across ICE and Customs and Border Protection custody since January 2025 and accused DHS of attempting to deport witnesses to Campos’s death amid an ongoing investigation.
The letter, led by Rep. Bennie Thompson, calls for comprehensive documentation related to custody deaths, medical staffing levels, and mental health protocols by early February. Lawmakers have described the circumstances surrounding these deaths as indicative of a “callous disregard for human life,” reflecting growing political and public demands for accountability within immigration enforcement practices.